U.S. patent number 4,986,027 [Application Number 07/206,619] was granted by the patent office on 1991-01-22 for hydroponic growth system.
Invention is credited to Roy Harvey.
United States Patent |
4,986,027 |
Harvey |
January 22, 1991 |
Hydroponic growth system
Abstract
There is disclosed a structure for supporting the growth of
plants, comprising a flexible tubular element in the wall of which
slits are provided. Closure means define with the tubular element
an elongated enclosed area that is filled with a fluid and root
permeable material for supporting the roots of plants. A fluid
nutrient is supplied by a pump to the material. The tubular element
may be suspended from one of its ends and supplied at the upper end
with the fluid nutrient to support plant growth through the
perforations from the particulate material. The construction is
cheaply and easily manufactured, and easily used by a lay
person.
Inventors: |
Harvey; Roy (Thunder Bay,
Ontario, CA) |
Family
ID: |
4131901 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/206,619 |
Filed: |
June 14, 1988 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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916119 |
Oct 6, 1986 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
Current U.S.
Class: |
47/59R; 47/83;
47/82 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01G
9/024 (20130101); A01G 9/022 (20130101); A01G
9/026 (20130101); A01G 31/06 (20130101); Y02P
60/21 (20151101); Y02P 60/216 (20151101) |
Current International
Class: |
A01G
9/02 (20060101); A01G 031/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;47/67,82,83,59,62,64,79,39 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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823874 |
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Sep 1969 |
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CA |
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971363 |
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Jul 1975 |
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CA |
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1017146 |
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Sep 1977 |
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CA |
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1107069 |
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Aug 1981 |
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CA |
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416200 |
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Jun 1967 |
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CH |
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2070403 |
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Sep 1981 |
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GB |
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2147484 |
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May 1985 |
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GB |
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Primary Examiner: DeMille; Danton D.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Merchant, Gould, Smith, Edell,
Welter & Schmidt
Parent Case Text
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 916,119, filed Oct.
6, 1986, now abandoned.
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A structure for supporting the growth of plants, said structure
comprising:
a collapsible flexible woven fabric tubular element having a
perforate wall and first and second ends;
(i) said perforate wall having slits therein;
(ii) said structure including fibrous plugs adjacent said slits for
supporting roots of plants which may grow through said slits and
for retaining material within said structure;
(b) closure means operably positioned for expanding said tubular
element and defining within said tubular element an elongate
enclosed volume; said closure means comprising first and second
perforate rigid disc members;
(i) said first disc member being operably mounted in, and spaced
from, said first end of said tubular element; and,
(ii) said second disc member being operably mounted in, and spaced
from, said second end of said tubular element;
(c) fluid and rot permeable material filling said elongate enclosed
volume, for supporting the roots of the plants;
(d) seal means for enclosing said tubular element second end;
(e) suspension means constructed and arranged for vertical
suspension and said tubular element by said first end; and
(f) means for supplying a fluid nutrient to the fluid and root
permeable material; said means for supplying fluid nutrient
including: a conduit element operably attached to a pump means
located proximate said second end, said conduit element extending
to a conduit mouth above said fluid and root permeable material;
and pump means for transporting fluid nutrient upwardly through
said conduit element and outwardly from said conduit mouth at a
location substantially adjacent said tubular element first end,
wherein said first disc member, said tubular element and said fluid
and root permeable material direct fluid flow downwardly through
said fluid and root permeable material to substantially adjacent
said tubular element second end.
2. A structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said permeable
material comprises styrofoam beads.
3. A structure as defined in claim 1 wherein:
(a) the means for supplying a fluid nutrient includes a receptacle
connected to and operably disposed below said tubular element when
said structure is suspended in a vertical position; and
(b) wherein said pump means includes means for pumping fluid
disposed in the receptacle upward to the conduit mouth, whereby the
fluid may percolate downwardly through the material, with unused
fluid returning to the receptacle; and further,
(c) wherein the fluid and root permeable material comprises
styrofoam beads.
4. A structure as defined in claim 1 further comprising:
(a) a receptacle for disposition below the tubular element when
said structure is suspended in a vertical position, wherein said
receptacle is connected to and operably disposed below said tubular
element, and wherein said receptacle comprises an element of the
means for supplying a fluid nutrient; and
(b) fluid transport means for pumping fluid disposed in the
receptacle upward to adjacent said first end of said tubular
element, whereby the fluid may percolate downwardly through the
material, unused fluid returning to the receptacle.
5. A structure as defined in claim 1 wherein the percolate means
includes a filter-pacifier constructed and arranged to distribute
the fluid above said first disc member.
6. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein the flexible tubular
element comprises a polypropylene fabric.
7. A structure as defined in claim 1 wherein the fibrous plugs
comprise mineral wool.
8. A structure for supporting the growth of plants comprising:
(a) a collapsible flexible woven fabric tubular element having a
perforate wall and first and second ends;
(i) said perforate wall having slits therein;
(ii) said structure including fibrous plugs adjacent said slits for
supporting roots of plants which may grow through said slits and
for retaining material within said structure;
(b) closure means operably positionable for expanding said tubular
element and defining within said tubular element an elongate
enclosed volume; said closure means comprising first and second
perforate rigid disc members;
(i) said first disc member being operably mounted in, and spaced
from, said first end of said tubular element; and,
(ii) said second disc member being operably mounted in, and spaced
from, said second end of said tubular element;
(c) fluid and root permeable material filling said elongate
enclosed volume and for supporting the roots of the plants;
(d) seal means for enclosing said tubular element second end;
(e) suspension means constructed and arranged for suspension of
said tubular element by said first end;
(f) means for supplying a fluid nutrient to the fluid and root
permeable material; said means for supplying fluid nutrient
including:
(i) a conduit operably attached to a pump means located proximate
said second end, said conduit element extending to a conduit mouth
above said fluid and root permeable material;
(ii) pump means for transporting fluid nutrient through said
conduit element and outwardly from said conduit mouth at a location
substantially adjacent said tubular element first end, wherein said
first disc member, said tubular element and said fluid and root
permeable material direct fluid flow downwardly through said fluid
and root permeable material to substantially adjacent said tubular
element second end; and,
(iii) a filter-pacifier secured to said conduit mouth and arranged
to distribute said fluid above said fluid and root permeable
material.
9. A structure as defined in claim 8 wherein said permeable
material comprises styrofoam beads.
10. A structure as defined in claim 8 wherein:
(a) the means for supplying a fluid nutrient includes a receptacle
connected to and operably disposed below said tubular element when
said structure is suspended in a vertical position; and
(b) wherein said pump means includes means for pumping fluid
disposed in the receptacle upward through said conduit element,
whereby the fluid may percolate downwardly through the material,
with unused fluid returning to the receptacle; and further,
(c) wherein the material comprises styrofoam beads.
11. A structure as defined in claim 8 further comprising:
(a) a receptacle for disposition below the second disc when said
structure is suspended in a vertical position, wherein said
receptacle is connected to and operably disposed below said tubular
element, and wherein said receptacle comprises an element of the
means for supplying a fluid nutrient; and
(b) means for pumping fluid disposed in the receptacle upward
through said conduit element and outwardly from said conduit mouth,
whereby the fluid may percolate downwardly through the material,
unused fluid returning to the receptacle.
12. A structure as defined in claim 8, wherein the flexible tubular
element comprises a polypropylene fabric.
13. A structure as defined in claim 8 wherein the fibrous plugs
comprise a mineral wool.
14. A structure for supporting the growth of plants, said structure
comprising:
(a) a collapsible flexible woven fabric tubular element comprising
a polypropylene fabric having a perforate wall and first and second
ends;
(i) said perforate wall having slits therein;
(ii) said structure including fibrous plugs adjacent said slits for
supporting roots of plants which may grow through said slits and
for retaining material within said structure;
(b) closure means operably positionable for expanding said tubular
element and defining within said tubular element an elongate
enclosed volume; said closure means comprising first and second
perforate rigid disc members;
(i) said first disc member being operably mounted in, and spaced
from, said first end of said tubular element; and,
(ii) said second disc member being operably mounted in, and spaced
from, said second end of said tubular element;
(c) fluid and root permeable material, comprising styrofoam,
filling said elongate enclosed volume;
(d) seal means for enclosing said tubular element second end;
(e) suspension means constructed and arranged for vertical
suspension of said tubular element by said first end;
(f) means for supplying a fluid nutrient to the fluid and root
permeable material; said means for supplying fluid nutrient
including: a conduit element operably attached to a pump means
located proximate said second end, said conduit element extending
to a conduit mouth above said fluid and root permeable material;
and pump means for transporting fluid nutrient through said conduit
element and outwardly from said conduit mouth at a location
substantially adjacent said first tubular element first end,
wherein said first disc member, said tubular element and said fluid
and root permeable material direct fluid flow downwardly through
said fluid and root permeable material to substantially adjacent
said first conduit element second end; and
(g) a filter-pacifier secured to said conduit mouth and constructed
and arranged to distribute fluid above said first disc member.
15. A kit containing elements for constructing a structure for
supporting the growth of plants, said kit comprising:
(a) a collapsible flexible woven fabric tubular element comprising
a polypropylene fabric having a perforate wall and first and second
ends;
(i) said perforate wall having slits therein;
(ii) fibrous plugs insertable into said tubular element slits for
supporting roots of plants which may grow through said slits and
for retaining material within said structure;
(b) closure means operably positionable for expanding said tubular
element and defining within said tubular element an elongate
enclosed volume; said closure means comprising first and second
perforate rigid disc members;
(i) said first disc member being insertable in, to be spaced from,
said first end of said tubular element; and,
(ii) said second disc member being insertable in, to be spaced
from, said second end of said tubular element;
(c) fluid and root permeable material comprising a porous medium
for filling said elongate enclosed volume and for supporting roots
of the plants;
(d) seal means for enclosing said tubular element second end;
(e) suspension means for suspending said tubular element by said
first end;
(f) means for supplying a fluid nutrient to the fluid and root
permeable material; said means for supplying fluid nutrient
including: a conduit element operably attached to a pump means
located proximate said second end, said conduit element extending
to a conduit mouth and positionable such that said conduit mouth is
above said fluid and root permeable material; and pump means for
transporting fluid nutrient through said conduit element and
outwardly from said conduit mouth at a location substantially
adjacent said first tubular element first end; and
(g) a filter-pacifier adapted to be securely mounted to said
conduit mouth.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to hydroponic growth structures, and more
particularly to such structures that are capable of vertical
orientation for growing a column of plants, either for decorative
purposes in the home or for commercial purposes in a
greenhouse.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Such structures are known in the art, and typical prior art patents
are the following:
Can Pat. No. 176,450, Apr. 17, 1917 - James Swartz
Can Pat. No. 823,874, Sept. 30, 1969 - Hugh A. Johnson, Sr.
Can Pat. No. 971,363, July 22, 1975 - Richard A. Carlyon, Jr.
Can Pat. No. 1,017,146, Sept. 13,1977 - Tatemoto Hitoshi, et al
Can Pat. No. 1,107,069, Aug. 18, 1981 - Maria Schmidt
U.S. Pat. No. 3,063,196, Nov. 13, 1962 - Edward E. Pauer
U.S. Pat. No. 4,059,922, Nov. 29, 1977 - Joseph A. DiGiscinto
U.S. Pat. No. 4,218,847, Aug. 26, 1980 - Frank W. Leroux
U.S. Pat. No. 4,250,666, Feb. 17, 1981 - Roy R. Rakestraw
U.S. Pat. No. 4,268,994, May 26, 1981 -Urai Muneharu
U.S. Pat. No. 4,295,296, Oct. 20, 1981 - Michael H. Kinghorn
U.S. Pat. No. 4,419,843, Dec. 13, 1983 - High A. Johnson, Sr.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,454,684, June 19, 1984 - Louis R. O'Hare
While the above patents disclose constructions in which plants are
grown in a tiered or upright support, many of the disclosed
constructions are not suitable for home use. Further, they do not
lend themselves to easy transportation and due to their particular
features of construction, are expensive to construct.
There is a requirement for a cheap, economical planter that can
grow plants, especially indoor plants, in a vertical orientation so
that an attractive and practical construction results that is
affordable and easy for a lay person to use.
There further is a requirement for a construction that can be sold
as a kit and assembled by the ultimate user. It is therefore the
purpose of the present invention to provide an apparatus for
hydroponic cultivation that can be cheaply manufactured from
readily available materials, easily assembled and effectively used
in the home or in a commercial environment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention accordingly provides a structure for
supporting the growth of plants comprising;
a flexible tubular element having a perforate wall;
a pair of closure means for defining with said element an elongated
enclosed area;
fluid and root permeable material for filling the enclosed area and
for supporting the rots of the plants, and;
means for supplying a fluid nutrient to the material, whereby the
tubular element may be suspended from one of its ends, and supplied
at the one end with the fluid nutrient, to support plant growth
through the perforations from the particulate material.
Due to the nature of the materials used in the construction of
preferred forms of the above invention, the components are easily
packaged and sold and equally easily assembled by a user. No
special tools are required. Further, no special skills are required
for growing plants in the structure according to the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
Referring now the attached drawing, the FIGURE illustrates,
partially in section, an hydroponic growth supporting structure
according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
In the drawing, 10 is a flexible tubular element defining a sack
formed from, for example, polypropylene woven material and having
an open upper end 16 and a closed lower end 27, the lower end
being, for example, sewn at 32 to close it. Adjacent the upper and
lower ends there are disposed perforated plates 12 and 13 which
extend across the section of the tube. An inner sump 28 vented at
30 to permit the passage of fluid is disposed within the lower end
of the element 10, and houses a pump 21 which functions in a manner
to be described below. Sump 28 may be formed from a suitable
thermoplastic material. Vents 30 perforate the element 10, but
other means may be provided to allow the passage of fluid between
the sump 28 and receptacle 11. Instead of sewing the lower end 27
to close it, a sliding fastener or Velcro (TM) may be used, to
allow access to the pump 21 if the latter is of the type that might
require periodic servicing.
Extending upwardly from the upper end 16 of the element 10 is a
hanger 29 by which the structure may be suspended, for example from
a ceiling or a beam.
Disposed within the element 10, and between the plates 12 and 13,
is a mass of particulate material, such as styrofoam beads,
identified by the reference numeral 20.
Adapted to be disposed below the lower sump 28 is the receptacle
11, adapted to contain an hydroponic growth medium. Such materials
are commercially available, and normally comprise nutrients that
are mixed with water in a predetermined ratio to support plant
growth.
Extending upwardly from the pump 21, through the styrofoam beads
20, is a flexible tube 22, which passes both through the lower
plate and the upper plate 12 to a mouth 23 just above the upper
plate 12. A replacable filter-pacifier 24 ay be disposed at the
mouth 23 of the tube 22 so that fluid pumped upwardly through the
tube 22 by the pump 21 is dispersed without agitation over the
upper surface of the plate 12. The fluid then passes through
openings 14 in the plate 12 and percolates downwardly through the
styrofoam beads 20, after which excess fluid passes, through
openings 15 in the lower plate 13 and into the inner sump 28.
Evenly spaced around the circumference of the tubular element 10
are a number of slits 18, preferably horizontal. Within the slits
18 may be disposed mineral wool plugs 19. These, if used, support
the roots of young plants 26.
In use, inner sump 28 is inserted into the element 10 to rest
against the lower end 27. Plate 13 is then inserted, and the
element 10 is then filled with the styrofoam beads 20, after the
tube 22 is threaded through the element 10, taking care to ensure
that the mouth of the tube 23 remains above the level of the beads
20. The upper disc 12 is then placed in position, and the mouth of
the tube 22 threaded through an opening provided in the disc 12.
The filter-pacifier 24 is then put in place. After this, the
element 10 may be suspended by the hanger 29 in a suitable
position, after which the receptacle 11 is placed in position below
the tubular element 10. The receptacle 11 is filled with hydroponic
growth medium, at which point the apparatus is ready for use by
actuating the pump 21, which may be driven by electrical current
from an electrical outlet (not shown) into which the plug 31 is
placed t provide electricity through cord 25 to the motor 21.
There are many ways in which plants may be grown in the above
described apparatus. For example, a young plant with developing
roots may be inserted directly through a slit 18 so that its roots
grow into the beads 20. Alternatively, seeds can be placed within
mineral wool plugs 31 in a separate container until germination has
taken place after which the plug 31 is inserted through a slit 18
so that root growth can continue into the beads 20 and growth may
proceed in the same manner. It is further possible to effect
rooting of cuttings by inserting the ends of the latter through the
openings 18 to expose them to the flow of hydroponic solution
through the beads 20, without the use of a plug 31.
It will be appreciated that for a commercial operation a number of
the above structures can be deployed in an existing greenhouse
above a single fluid receptacle, with the omission of the pump 21
and tube 22 and instead the use of a manifold supply system with a
branch for each element 10.
It will also be appreciated that the structure, when plant growth
has progressed, provides a storage medium for active and passive
solar energy when used in a greenhouse of the home.
* * * * *